If you run a restaurant, you’ll know that things change fast in the industry. You may also have seen how some trends can come and go, while others have more lasting appeal and stand the test of time.
When it comes to the overall appearance of your restaurant, it may not be something that you can change every five minutes, whenever a new trend hits the headlines.
Yet with a bit of creativity, you can make sure your restaurant has the basics to meet the shifting demands and tastes of your clientele, as well as adapting to any potential opportunities that the latest new trend could offer.
Here are some recent dining trends that might inspire you to rethink your layout or furniture, or inspire you to find creative solutions to help you tap into the latest demands.
Social Media
It’s no secret that social media has become the place to share dining experiences. Smart restaurant owners are doing their bit to tap into this trend and make their venues as Insta-worthy as possible.
Of course, you could update your restaurant tables and chairs to keep up with the fads and trends as they change, but there are two basic practices that can help you keep the social foodies happy.
Firstly, ensure that your furniture is appealing and makes a good backdrop for those food selfies. Worn table tops and chairs stand out in photos and you want your clientele to feel confident in sharing their snaps from your restaurant.
Secondly, you could opt for neutral tones and materials that let the food do the talking in all those foodie photos.
Child-friendly Venues
One popular dining trend is the demand for earlier evening meals. This may be driven by people becoming more health-conscious, or cultural shifts in social dining. Whatever the origin of this trend, earlier dining times make it more likely that families and children may be part of the group.
So, it’s a good idea to review just how child-friendly and family-friendly your restaurant furniture is. You may have loved those high-end faux-suede dining chairs, but will they stand up to the increased cleaning that comes with young diners?
It’s also important to consider the safety aspect. Lots of sharp angles and glass surfaces may be a great aesthetic, but if you find that your venue is full of young children more often, you might want to opt for more child-safe options.
The good news is that there are some great restaurant furniture suppliers that can accommodate kid-friendly restaurant designs without compromising on style and functionality.
Solo Diners
Have you noticed an increase in Solo Diners in your establishment? In years past, there was a stigma around dining solo, especially for women.
This has changed in recent years and now there is a distinct increase in demand for solo dining options. While it always pays to have a degree of flexibility in your restaurant furniture options, have you considered your solo diners?
This trend has seen restaurants raising the bar when it comes to accommodating single diners in a way that they don’t feel awkward or neglected. This could be a good opportunity for you to consider how your venue is set up to provide a great experience for this growing demographic.
Sustainability
The eco-credentials feature is one modern development that is not likely to go away any time soon. In fact, it may become even more important as more and more people do their bit by choosing eco-friendly options.
One way to tick the right boxes when it comes to furnishing your restaurant is to opt for natural materials or those that do the least damage to the planet.
For example, forget the trendy plastics and cheap linos – however easy-clean and designer-style they might be. Instead, opt for longer-lasting pieces made from solid wood, cast iron or steel.
Some of these trends may be fleeting, though there’s a good chance that they may be the result of the cultural shifts and social upheavals of the last few years – so they may well be here to stay.
Of course, your restaurant may not be affected by these trends, or you may already be set up in such a way that you can capitalise on these changing demands.
When it comes to assessing your restaurant furniture, especially if you’re planning a redesign or a refresh, bearing these trends in mind could help you tap into the subtle shifts in restaurant culture that will stand you in good stead for the future.
